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Ways to Explore Colorado's Fall Colors

Colorado's quintessential tree is the beautiful aspen. We've named towns, streets, dogs — even beer — after this glorious tree. In the summer, the aspens provide shade for our state flower, the columbine, and in the fall, Coloradans rejoice when the aspens' quaking leaves turn their vibrant shades of gold. Colorado offers a few unique ways to explore its fall colors.

ByColorado.com Staff Writer

Updated: 7/6/2017

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The month of September is the ideal time to witness Colorado fall color, but you have to time it right — the color is fleeting, lasting only a few weeks in different areas of the state. Often, when one portion of the state’s color fades, another section of Colorado is just beginning its seasonal change. The best strategy: select your travel dates in advance, but not your destination. Then go wherever the color is. Consider these somewhat different approaches to aspen peeping:

Hot-Air Ballooning

Ballooning in Colorado provides new perspectives on the state’s ubiquitous granite pinnacles, rocky spires and the tawny-hues of fall aspens. When you find yourself in a thatched basket, hundreds of feet up in the crisp Colorado air, the colors unfold below in a seemingly unending canvas of yellow and gold. The landscape becomes increasingly intriguing and inspiring while drifting from this high altitude angle.

Horseback Riding

Few activities embody the West like an old-fashioned horseback ride through Colorado. Somehow, aspen viewing, wildlife watching, sightseeing and simply enjoying the outdoors are a different experience when sitting astride a saddle. Consider a trail for the day or book a vacation at a Colorado dude ranch. Find Colorado horseback riding options.